"I want to see them; get them and bring them here."
Askew started for his caps and Captain Macklin went with him. They returned, presently, with two old caps, in size 7¼ and 7¾, respectively. Askew's new cap and the one found in the mud were both number 7's. Captain Bill look them over, then turned to Askew.
"Don't you generally write your name in your caps?" he asked.
"Yes, sir, most generally. Anyhow, I do sometimes."
"Did you write your initials in this new cap? Is the handwriting yours!"
"Yes, sir."
"That will do. You can go, now."
C.W. Askew of Company B, Twenty-seventh Infantry, withdrew, and Captain Bill was alone with his board of inquiry. For some moments he regarded the two officers with silent scorn. Then, to Major Penrose, he said:
"When I came here you told me you couldn't find out anything. I've been here a half an hour and I've found out enough, with what I got last night, to warrant me in charging a bunch of your men with murder. How do you explain that?"
Major Penrose's face showed that he was unhappy. He said: